Dirigible lamp mounting for automobiles



F. L. THOMPSON DIRIGIBLE LAMB MOUNTING FOR AUTOMOBILES Dec. 21

2 Sheets-Sheei Filed May 28. 1925 Dec. 21;, 1926- Q 3 1 55115392 F.,.LTHOMPSON DImGIgLE LAMP MOUNTING. FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed May 28. 1925ZSheets-Sheet. 2

Patented Dec. 21, 1925.

UNITED STTS FRANK L.'TI-IOMPSO1 T, OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA.

DIRIGIBLE LAME? MOUNTING FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed May 28, 1925. Serial No. 33,448.

vention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows:

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of an automobile having theinvention ap plied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the lamp mountings hereinafterdescribed.

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of one of the lamps looking from thefront.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of the lamps.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through one of the lamp mountingsand the nonglare device of the lamp.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the nonglare device.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation illustrating a P modified form of lampmounting.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the lamp .mounting shown in Fig. 8, and

' Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional View through one of the steeringspindles and the attached lamp mounting, the construction correspondingto that shown in Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings and more par ticularly to Figs. 1 to 41inclusive, 5 designates the steering knuckle arms of a well known typeof automobile. l secure to the steering knuckle arm, by the clampindicated at 6, a vertical strap 7 and I attach to these verticalstraps, by means of the nuts and bolts indicated at 8, L-shaped members9, comprising the vertical arms 9 and the horizontal arm 9. Each ofthese arms is provided with a plurality of openings 10 and 11, theprovision of the plurality of openings 10 rendering it possible tovertically adjust the arm 9 with respect to the strap 8 and theprovision of the openings 11 renderingit possible to adjust the lampalong the arms 9 The lamp bodies are indicated at 12 and they arecarried'by brackets 13 which are pivotally mounted in bifurcated stems 11, said stems in turn being secured in the openings 11 by means of nuts15. Thus, as the steering knuckle arms, 5 swing back and forth, thelamps 'will partake of their movement and will be turned to suchposition as to throw their rays in the direction in which the vehicle isabout to turn. Thumb nuts 15 serve to adjust the angle of the lamps withrespect to the vertical.

To shield the lenses 16 of the lamps from mud and water splashed fromthe front wheels 17 of the automobile, I dispose shields 18 at the sidesof said lamps. These shields aid in preventing objectionable glarelaterally of the roadway. As a further preventive of glare, I mountwithin the lamps translucent or semi-transparent discs 19 (see Fig. 7).These discs are preferably made of celluloid and they are provided withcentral openings 20, which receive the usual tip 21 upon the lamp globe22. The discs 19 are carried by forked brackets 23 of spring metal whichengage beneath the bases of the globe 22 and hold the structure inplace.

The structure of Figs. 8 to 10 is the same in function as that of Figs.1 to 4, the horizontal perforated arm 25 corresponding tothe arm 9 Thisarm 25 is carried by a vertical tubular stem 26 which fits over arod-like extension 27 of a block 28. This block is shaped to fit againstthe side of the steering spindle 29 and it is clamped thereto by theclamp 30 which embraces said s indle. A set screw 31 provides means fore ecting bodily vertical adjustment-of tubular member 26 and arm 25 withrespect to block 28.

From the foregoing description, it will be observed that T have provideda structure for possessing all of the advantages of dirigible lampmountings without the necessity of the complicated and noisy connectionsbetween the running gear and the body of the vehicle, such as arenecessary when an effort is made to connect the steering gear with lampsmounted upon the body of the vehicle. Since all of the structure ismounted upon a running gear, intermediate connections are entirelydispensed with. Furthermore, the locating of the lamps at a low pointdisposes Ill them so far below the range of vision of drivers ofoncoming cars that objectionable glare is not present.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction set forth but that it includes within its purview whateverchanges fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of theappended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a vertical flat bar, aclamp carried thereby, adapted to engage the steering knuckle arm of anautomobile steering wheel to hold said bar in vertical position an..-shaped member of flat metal, one leg of which lies flat against saidvertical bar and is secured thereto by means permitting verticaladjustment of said leg with respect to said bar, said horizontal portionof the L- shaped member being provided with a plurality of verticalopenings therethrough, a lamp, a member carrying said lamp and adaptedto be mounted in any of said vertical openings and to permit ofhorizontal swinging movement of the lamp and a mud shield projectingforwardly from the lamp and extending part .way around the front thereofand lying at that side of the lamp go toward the vertical bar.

:2. The combination with an automobile, having the usual front guidingWheels and front fenders of a lamp mounted upon and movable with one ofthe automobile steering 3 knuckle arms, said lamp being located beneaththe front fender and inwardly of and below the top of the adjacentsteering wheel, mud shield extending forwardly from the edge of the lampand substantially half way 4 therearound and lying about that side ofthe lamp toward the adjacent steering wheel, whereby said shield servesto prevent the passage of light rays outwardly beyond said lamp and alsoserves to prevent mud from 4 the wheel from being splashed upon the lensof the lamp.

In testimony whereof I altix my signature.

FRANK L. THOMPSON.

